Magnolia Magnolia

Magnolias are trees or shrubs and are among the most beautiful and popular landscape plants. They are members of the magnolia family (Magnoliaceae). The genus name honors French botanist Pierre Magnol (1638–1715), director of the Royal Botanic Garden of Montpellier and the first to recognize the modern concept of plant families.

Most prefer fertile, acidic, moist, well-drained soils. They do poorly in basic soils, dry sites or on infertile sand. The larger species do best in full sun, but some of the smaller species can tolerate dappled or partial shade. They can be browsed by deer, so young trees need protection. 

At present, more than 360 species of magnolia are known from the Americas, South and Southeast Asia, and Malesia. Some are deciduous, and some are evergreen. Several species are native to North Carolina: the cucumber tree (M. acuminata), Fraser magnolia (M. fraseri), southern magnolia (M. grandiflora), big leaf magnolia (M. macrophylla), umbrella magnolia (M. tripetala) and sweet bay (M. virginiana). Many hybrid magnolias have been developed to provide a wider range of sizes, shapes and floral characteristics. They can range anywhere from 8 to 40 feet tall. The flowers are fragrant pink, purple, white or yellow saucer-shaped flowers usually in spring.

There is a magnolia for every garden, provided the garden is large enough. Magnolias can be grown for their glossy, evergreen leaves (M. grandifora), their colorful flowers (M. x brooklynensis 'Yellow Bird', their fragrant flowers (M. figo) or for pollinators and wildlife (M. virginiana). Use them as a flowering tree, in the shrub border or as specimens.

Disease, pests, and problems: Magnolia scale, Verticillium wilt, chlorosis in high pH soils.